US2013286774A1PendingUtilityA1

Streamer cable with enhanced properties

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Assignee: TELEDYNE INSTRUMENTS INCPriority: Jul 30, 2004Filed: Jun 25, 2013Published: Oct 31, 2013
Est. expiryJul 30, 2024(expired)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Robert A. P. FernihoughWilliam G. KikendallPhillip R. GoinesStephen M. GribblePhilip M. Manrique
G01V 1/201G01V 13/00G01V 1/16G01V 1/38
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Claims

Abstract

The present invention relates to streamer cables. One embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for preparing a streamer cable. The method may comprise retrofitting the streamer cable with a solid void-filler material, where the streamer cable was configured as a liquid-filled streamer cable. The retrofitting may comprise introducing a void-filler material into the streamer cable when the void-filler material is in a liquid state and curing or otherwise solidifying the void-filler material to a solid state. In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a streamer cable comprising an outer skin and-at least one sensor positioned within the outer skin. The streamer cable may also comprise a solid void-filler material positioned between the outer skin and the at least one sensor, wherein the solid void-filler material is coupled to the at least one sensor.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
1 . A method for preparing a streamer cable, comprising:
 retrofitting the streamer cable with a solid void-filler material, wherein the streamer cable was configured as a liquid-filled streamer cable, and wherein the retrofitting comprises:   introducing a void-filler material into the streamer cable, wherein the void-filler material is in a liquid state; and   curing the void-filler material to a solid state.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the retrofitting further comprises removing a liquid void-filler material from the streamer cable. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the streamer cable comprises at least one sensor. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises a hydrophone and the void-filler material in a solid state is coupled to the hydrophone. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the retrofitting further comprises introducing a property modifying agent into the streamer cable. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the property modifying agent is at least one of a plasticizer, a tackifier, and a crosslinking agent. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the retrofitting further comprises:
 mixing a combination of constituent parts of a void-filler material; and   heating the combination.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the curing comprises exposing the void-filler material to light energy. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the light energy comprises ultraviolet energy. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the curing comprises heating the void-filler material. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the curing comprises cooling the void-filler material. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the curing comprises crosslinking the void-filler material. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the curing comprises introducing a reactive agent to the void-filler material. 
     
     
         14 . A streamer cable comprising:
 an outer skin;   at least one sensor positioned within the outer skin; and   a solid void-filler material positioned between the outer skin and the at least one sensor, wherein the void-filler material is coupled to the at least one sensor.   
     
     
         15 . The streamer cable of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one sensor is at least one of a directional sensor, a temperature sensor, a hydrophone, and a magnetic sensor. 
     
     
         16 . The streamer cable of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises a sensor positioned at about the center axis of the streamer cable. 
     
     
         17 . The streamer cable of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises a sensor positioned off the center axis of the streamer cable. 
     
     
         18 . The streamer cable of  claim 14 , wherein the void-filler material at least partially encapsulates the at least one sensor. 
     
     
         19 . The streamer cable of  claim 14 , wherein the void-filler material encapsulates the at least one sensor. 
     
     
         20 . The streamer cable of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one sensor is configured to transmit at least one of an electrical signal and an optical signal. 
     
     
         21 - 70 . (canceled)

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